Morning Brief: Israel Plans Massive Response To Iran's Missile Attack; Bangladesh Recalls Envoy To India; And More

Dear reader, make sense of the day’s news with Swarajya's roundup of what’s making headlines this morning. 

Israel Plans Massive Response To Iran's Missile Attack

Israeli officials are preparing a major retaliation against Iran following a massive missile attack that involved nearly 200 missiles fired into Israel. They have indicated that potential targets could include Iran's oil production facilities and strategic military sites. Iran has warned that any Israeli military response will provoke further attacks, escalating the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Iran made a "big mistake" and will face consequences for its missile attacks. While a military response is expected, Israeli officials are seeking to coordinate with the US due to the situation's strategic implications. US President Biden has expressed support for an Israeli decision to respond to the attack but said that it must act "proportionately".

Bangladesh's Interim Government Recalls Envoy To India

Bangladesh’s interim government has recalled several envoys, including its high commissioner to India, amid tensions following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s administration. The decision, which has not been well received within the foreign service, affects envoys who were not political appointees. The caretaker administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took office after Hasina fled to India in early August.

While Bangladesh tried to arrange a meeting between Yunus and Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, India did not agree, as it was displeased with Yunus' critical remarks about India. This development adds to the strain in India-Bangladesh relations, which have been deteriorating since Hasina's departure.

Other Developments

UP Court Says "Love Jihad" A Major Threat, Sentences Man To Life

A UP court has said that "love jihad" is a significant threat to India's unity, citing illegal conversions as part of a broader conspiracy. The judge stated that Hindu girls are being lured into relationships for conversion, warning of demographic warfare. The court sentenced 25-year-old Mohammad Alim to life imprisonment for rape and identity fraud after he posed as "Anand" to deceive a 20-year-old student. The court expressed concerns over conversions done through psychological pressure, inducements like marriage and jobs, and potential foreign funding. It warned that if the issue isn't addressed in time, it could lead to severe consequences for the nation.

Muizzu Lays Groundwork To Reverse Maldives' Anti-India Tilt 

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who won the recent elections on an anti-India platform, is set to visit India from October 6 to 10. His administration appears to be pivoting towards rebuilding ties with India after months of strained relations, highlighted by recent high-level communications, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives. Although Muizzu attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June, this will be his first standalone bilateral visit to India since taking office nearly a year ago. Setting the stage for his visit, Muizzu recently criticised the derogatory remarks made about Prime Minister Modi by two of his former deputy ministers, saying that such insults toward the Indian leader were inappropriate.

The Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict on Thursday (3 October) regarding a plea alleging that prison manuals in certain states promote caste-based discrimination. A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, is set to deliver the judgment. Earlier this year, the court sought responses from the Centre and 11 states, including Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, following claims that prison work and inmate placement were influenced by caste. The petition highlights discriminatory practices within these prison systems.

EU Asks YouTube, TikTok For Details On Recommendation Algorithm

The EU Commission has requested information from YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok regarding the parameters their algorithms use to recommend content, particularly concerning systemic risks like electoral integrity, mental health, and the protection of minors. These inquiries are part of the Digital Services Act, which mandates that tech platforms mitigate the influence of their recommendation systems on the spread of illegal content, including hate speech and illegal drug promotion. The commission is particularly interested in TikTok's measures to prevent manipulation of its platform and to reduce risks associated with elections and civic discourse. This move follows earlier non-compliance proceedings against platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

From The States

Modi, Shah Absent In Final Stretch Of Haryana Campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are notably absent in the last phase of campaigning for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Neither leader are scheduled to address ant rallies today (3 October), the final day before the October 5 polls. Modi concluded his campaign with a fourth rally yesterday (2 October), while Shah held his last rallies on 29 September. This contrasts sharply with their more active roles in previous elections, where Modi addressed 10 rallies in 2014 and seven in 2019. In their absence, senior leaders like Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari are leading the campaign. Polling for all 90 seats will be held in a single phase, with results on October 8.

Kerala CM Vijayan Faces Backlash For Remarks On Gold Smuggling

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's comments linking smuggled gold and hawala money in the predominantly Muslim Malappuram district to "anti-national" activities have sparked a political backlash. Congress accused Vijayan of echoing narratives typically associated with the Sangh Parivar, while Indian Union Muslim League's P K Kunhalikutty described the remarks as a deliberate attempt to malign the Muslim-majority area. Despite Vijayan's clarification, criticism intensified, with Congress MLA V D Satheesan questioning whether the government would take action against the PR agency that conducted the interview. Governor Arif M Khan has requested an explanation from the CM regarding the smuggling activities in Malappuram.

BJP To Begin Releasing Key Manifesto Points In Jharkhand

The BJP will begin releasing key points of its manifesto for the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections starting Thursday, as announced by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the final rally of the BJP’s Parivartan Yatra in Hazaribag on October 2. The party’s campaign will focus on the issue of "infiltration" by Rohingyas and Bangladeshis. Elections for the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly are scheduled for later this year, with dates yet to be confirmed.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.